Spinnerbaits and buzzbaits

Spinnerbaits and Buzzbaits

One of my favorite baits of all time are these versatile wired contraptions that just catch fish. They come in all different configuration, sizes and weights and can be used year round pretty much to catch bass just by adjusting which size and style you use. By adjusting blade style and sizes and weights you can adjust water displacement, speed, flash, and all other facets of lure action. Some of the first bass I caught growing up came on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits in farm ponds and Horseshoe lake in East Arkansas. It was an easy starter bait that a lot of people have shy'd away from in the last few years but is still responsible for many of my best catches. ​

First, lets discuss blade styles and how they work. There are three primary blade styles-colorado, willowleaf and Indiana which come in many sizes. Colorado blades displace the most water and provide the most thump or vibration. The bigger the size the more they thump and vibrate. I use these in muddier water and lowlight situations where vibration is needed to attract the fish. Willowleaf blades are a must for clear and stained water where you want lots of flash more so than vibration. They are longer and don't displace as much water but give out a large amount of flash. Indiana blades are a compromise in between the two primary blades and give the best of both worlds providing good vibration and flash. I like these primarily in stained water situations. There are other variations such as turtlebacks and others that are specialty blades that can be good as well.

Second, lets discuss size of the blades and how this effects their action. The bigger the blade the more viabration it will cause and also the slower the bait will move, so always take this into consideration based on your conditions. In muddy water, I will use a single colorado blade in bigger sizes to provide maximum vibration so that the fish can find the bait easier. I may use large double willowleafs if I want to provide big flash and slow down a bait to roll it slowly closer to the surface. The bigger the blades the more lift a bait will have so to get it deeper you have to increase the weight of the bait. Smaller blades do not provide as much flash and vibration but will allow a bait to move deeper or faster. In clear water you may want to use two small willowleaf blades to make the bait flash but mover faster for that quick reaction strike. The basic premise to it all is to play with blades and styles to provide you with a bait that gets where you want it and provide the characteristics you need. I usually have two to three different spinnerbaits tied on til I figure out what works best in my current situation.

Thirdly, lets discuss colors. Again, there is a myriad of variations available to you there as well. I divide these up to three basic color variations in skirts and blades. Blades come in Silver, nickel, copper, gold and painted baldes. I like silver, nickel and gold in clear to stained waters. I use copper and black in muddy water and lowlight situations. I use painted blades primarily in lowlight times (dusk, dawn, and cloudy) particularly where smallmouth live. There is an endless variation of blade configurations you can use but I would say use what you have confidence in and let the fish tell you the rest. If you are getting short stikes make subtle changes until they really get it. As far as skirt colors go, I have a real simple formula for that. I use plain white or white with highlighted colors in clearer water. In stained water I use white/chartreuse or chartreuse with maybe some other tinted colors. In muddy water or lowlight I use black or dark colors. There are hundreds of variaitions, just experiment and find one you have confidence in.

A couple of other things I would suggest with spinnerbaits is to use a trailer hook and maybe a trailer. A 1/0 - 2/0 spinnerbait trailer hook can be invaluable when fish are short striking. Also, sometimes a trailer can give the spinnerbait some more bulk to displace water or another variation to help entice a reflex strike. Again, these are personal preference items you will just have to play with and see what you and the fish like. Let the fish tell you what you need to do.

The topwater brother of the spinnerbait is a Buzzbait. This bait has a blade that as pulled across the surface causes a gurgling noise that drives bass crazy at times. This bait starts getting fished in the spring after the water passes the 55 degree mark. Anytime bass need to be coaxed or goaded into hitting this can be a great choice. It is definitely a fun way to fish watching a bass explode on this bait as it comes thru cover. Color schemes follow with my spinnerbait guideline. The two times I believe the buzzbait is at it strongest is in the post spawn and cloudy fall days. Give it a try.

Good luck and great fishing!!!!!!!!!!

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